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Is your network access blocked?

The problem

You are unable to access network resources because your computer has been blocked. You probably have a virus or worm, or your computer does not have the required Microsoft security patches.

To protect NDSU resources, infected computers will be blocked from the network.

To get your computer unblocked

  1. Apply the Microsoft security patches.
  2. Find and remove the virus or worm.
  3. Update your virus protection software.
  4. Find out the physical address of your computer.
    (The Help Desk needs this to get your computer unblocked.)
  5. Contact the Help Desk (231-8685, Option 1).

The Help Desk will submit a request to have network access restored.

  • If you contact the Help Desk before 2:30, the request is completed on the same day.
  • Otherwise, requests are completed early the next business day.

To stay protected from viruses and worms

  1. Install virus protection software. McAfee and Virex is free for NDSU faculty, staff, and students.
  2. Update your virus protection software daily
  3. Install ALL Microsoft security patches
  4. Turn on the Windows XP firewall
  5. Set a strong password for your computer

Patch your computer

Without a patch, your computer will be re-infected in a short time. You will need to use either a CD-ROM burner or a USB drive because the patch is too big to fit on a floppy disk.

  1. From another computer with Internet access, go to www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS03-039.mspx
  2. Under General Information, click Patch availability.
  3. Click the appropriate link for your computer.
  4. Click the Download button.
  5. Click the Save button and save the file to the Desktop.
  6. Copy the downloaded file to the CD or USB drive.
  7. Follow steps 2-4 above for the following patch: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS04-011.mspx
  8. Take the CD or USB back to your computer and run the program.

Find and remove the virus or worm

If you have a virus or worm, you will need to use virus protection software or a utility program to remove it. Most of the utilities, updates, or other needed files are too large to fit on a floppy disk. You may need to put them on a CD or USB drive.

A recommend utility to try is Stinger. It is available at http://vil.nai.com/vil/stinger (This utility may not find and remove all viruses or worms.)

Update your virus-protection software

Make sure you are running updated virus-protection software. McAfee is free for NDSU faculty, staff and students. If you don't have McAfee installed, see the directions below.

For irus-protectyion software to catch new viruses, it must be updated regularly. McAfee has updated DAT files, which have the latest information on viruses and worms, available at http://www.nai.com/us/downloads/ .

  1. Go to http://www.nai.com/us/downloads/
  2. Click DATs
  3. Click SuperDat File (Engine + DAT)
  4. Click the file located next to Windows - Intel.
  5. An example of the file name is sdat43##.exe.
    Note: The ## in the file name will change as new updates are release.
  6. Double click on sdat43##.exe


To find out the physical address of your computer

  1. Click Start and then click Run.
  2. In the Run box type "cmd" without the quotes and press enter. This will open a command prompt.
  3. At the command prompt type "ipconfig /all" without the quotes.
  4. Your physical address will be displayed.

Stay Protected

Download McAfee virus-protection software:

  1. Go to the NDSU Software Download page.
  2. Click Windows Software
  3. Click McAfee Virus Scan for 2000/XP Off-campus installer
    Note: Use the off-campus installer even if you are on-campus. The on-campus installer is only a partial install while the off-campus installer is a full installation. A server does the rest of the on-campus installation automatically. Since network access may have been removed from your machine, this option is not possible.
  4. Update the installation of the McAfee DAT files.

Keep your computer safe by installing Microsoft security updates and patches

Update your computer with the newest patches and fixes. Avoid getting the latest worm or virus by keeping your system up-to-date. Windows has a built in update feature that should be run on a weekly basis. To run Windows update:

  1. Open Internet Explorer
  2. On the Menu bar click Tools
  3. Select Windows Update
  4. Click Scan for updates
  5. Install ALL Critical Updates and Service Packs

Firewall protection for Windows XP users

Windows XP has a built in Personal Firewall that provides even more protection. To turn the Personal Firewall on

  1. Click Start and select Control Panel
  2. Double-click Network Connections
  3. Right click Local Area Connection and select Properties
  4. Check the Internet Connect Firewall box
  5. Click OK

Make sure you have a stong password

  • Many viruses and worms are able to infect machines through accounts with weak passwords or without passwords.
  • A weak password can be easily guessed, such as a dictionary word or number.
  • Strong passwords contain a large number of characters and are composed of both letters and numbers.
  • Be sure all your accounts have a "strong" password, especially the administrator account.

Last updated: Wednesday, April 08, 2009 5:36:41PM

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